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Questions on my computer sound interface!

Here's a question for anyone that can answer it.

Ok, so soon I'll be getting a MOTU 828mk II (within a month). I have two computers right now, one with an Audiophile 2496, and the other, a 1010LT soundcard (main rig). From my understanding, isn't the MOTU unit like a big external soundcard? It has pretty much everything my 1010LT does, and connects through a Firewire interface. Would I be better off selling my 1010LT, considering that is a LOT of wires in the back, and can tend to suck a lot more system resources than the MOTU? Is this a wise decision, or would I run into problems later down the road? Also, if that is a the case, what would you recommend I do with my 2nd computer with the Audiophile? I use programs like Sonar 3 PE, QLSO Gold, Gigastudio, and do occasional live recording as well. My head is spinning over these factors. Thanks!

Re: Questions on my computer sound interface!

Audio interfaces come in a number of "interface types" -- PCI card, USB 1.1, USB 2.0, and Firewire. The differences between these types are normally the maximum number of simultaneous inputs the device can support and/or sample rates. PCI cards can support the most, followed by Firewire/USB 2.0, followed by USB 1.1.

I am not sure about your statement of the LT "sucking more system resources".

The market for pro audio interfaces seems fairly competitive, so I think the general rule "you get what you pay for" stands.

M-Audio (you Delta), MOTU, and RME all make good products.

The MOTU Firewire interfaces ARE very popular. I have a MOTU PCI-424 card and 2408mk3 "breakout box" which works very well.

Re: Questions on my computer sound interface!

1. Yes, it has all the nice features using FIREWIRE. Be sure you have it dedicated to its own BUS to use the whole bandwidth.

2. I purchased mine in January 2004, and had to replace it in February 2004 because of popping & clicking issues... Got a new one and it too seems to pop/click but not as often as the original one.

If you have to work with it, so be it... but I have now learnt that If I had the options, I would go for the new RME firewire adio interface, or if that was too expensive, look at getting the DIGI002R.

I'll be taking the MOTU 828 to a friends place to see if it pops at his place as I'm thinking its either the MOTU or my home's electrical set-up, as its a new house... (If you like I can let you know what happens).

I get these pops when my Mac G4 is off, so its definitely not my MAC... so its either the MOTU or a drop/spike in the wiring (or something like that!).

Re: Questions on my computer sound interface!

Hi Max,

I've had an 828MK2 since July. It's been working flawlessly with my Mac Powerbook G4 ever since I got it. Is it potentially a clocking problem? The only other thing that I can think of now would be buffer settings that are too low.

Although if you're running lots of different audio channels in/out of the 828 you may not want to do this, I have a FW hard drive connected on the same FW bus as the 828 and do not have problems. I'm using mostly only 8 audio channels (not tracks) on the 828 though.

@Jared: Do not use ADAT cables to carry clock signal to/from the 828. The ADAT spec does not specify clock to be part of the signal so you'll pops/clicks or even dropouts (that happened to me before I realized this). You'll want to use s/pdif or the wordclock i/o on the 828 to carry clock.